Mobile communcation terminal

ABSTRACT

A mobile communication terminal which includes a plurality of lights, apparatus for controlling the activation of the lights, apparatus for storing a number of sequences of activation of the lights, and apparatus for assigning one of the stored sequences of the activation of the lights to a particular event in the mobile communication terminal.

[0001] The present invention relates to mobile communication terminalsthat comprise a plurality of lights. In particular, the presentinvention relates to mobile communication terminals in which a sequencefor the activation of the lights may be stored. The present inventionrelates further to a method of composing a sequence of activation oflights on a mobile communication terminal. The present invention relatesin particular to a method of composing a sequence of activation oflights on a mobile communication terminal in which said mobilecommunication terminal comprises a display, a keypad, lights and amemory.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Mobile communication terminals depend in their functionalityhighly on the effectiveness of the user interface. One aspect of theuser interface is the ability to notify the user. Such notification hasin the past mainly been based on audio signals. In recent years theability to notify the user of incoming calls the user with a vibratorhas become popular.

[0003] GB 2 361 798 discloses a mobile communication terminal in whichcombinations of display colors or lighting notify an incoming call. Thedata for changes in lighting is stored in a RAM. A light driverindependently drives the plurality of LEDs according to the data storedin the RAM when a call is received.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0004] On this background, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a mobile phone of the kind referred to initially, which allows abroader use of user notification through activation of lights. Thisobject is achieved in accordance with claim 1 by providing a memory thatcan store a plurality of sequences for the activation of lights, andmeans for selectively assigning a stored sequence to a particular eventin the mobile communication terminal. Thus, different events, such asincoming calls, incoming calls from a particular caller or caller group,key lock, key unlock, power on/off, calendar alarm, incoming SMS, highscore, wake-up alarm, battery status indication and signal strengthindication can be assigned a particular lighting sequence.

[0005] According to an embodiment, the means for selectively assigningone of the stored sequences of the activation of the lights to aparticular event in the mobile communication terminal comprises akeypad, a display, and means for displaying on the display an indicationwhich keys of the keypad need to be pressed to assign one of the storedsequences of the activation of the lights to a particular event in themobile communication terminal.

[0006] Advantageously, the means for selectively controlling theactivation of the lights comprises means for controlling tie color ofthe lights and/or for controlling the intensity level at which thelights are activated. Thus the number of variations in light sequencesand the attractiveness of the appearance is improved.

[0007] The user interface may further comprise means for composing thesequences of activation of the lights. Thus, the user can create his/herpersonal sequences. Preferably, the means for composing sequences ofactivation of the lights allows the user to select the intensity levelof a light to be activated, preferably as low, middle, high, and/orallows the user to select the duration of the activation of a light tobe activated, and/or allows selection of the timing between activationsof the lights.

[0008] According to an embodiment, the means for composing sequences ofactivation of the lights comprises a keypad, a display, and means fordisplaying on the display an indication which keys of the keypad need tobe pressed to compose a sequence of activation of the lights.

[0009] Advantageously, the sequence of activation of the lights issynchronized with a vibrator of the mobile communication terminal, sothat a combined silent signaling is possible.

[0010] The mobile communication terminal lights may be LEDs and/orelectro luminescent foils and/or electro luminescent strings and/oroptical fibers.

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a mobilecommunication terminal of the kind referred to initially, which allows abroader use of the lights. This object is achieved in accordance withclaim 11 by providing the mobile communication terminal with means fortransforming an audio signal into a control signal for activation of thelights.

[0012] Advantageously, the audio signal is provided by a microphone inthe mobile communication terminal, and/or by a digital audio player inthe mobile communication terminal and/or by a radio in the mobilecommunication terminal and/or by a memory in the mobile communicationterminal in which ringing tunes are stored. With the microphoneactivated, e.g. in a discotheque or other place where music is played,the mobile communication terminal can be used as a light organ.

[0013] Advantageously, the audio signal is divided into two or morediscrete frequency bands by filters, and the output of the filters isused to activate the lights, preferably with a light with a differentcolor being assigned to each frequency band, and/or the intensity of thelights being modulated according to the output level from the filterdriving the light. Thus, the light effects in response to the audiosignal become more sophisticated.

[0014] The mobile communication terminal may also comprise means forrecording and storing the activation of the lights in response to theaudio signal. Thus, the user does not have to download or enter thesequences of activation of the lights, but may simply record, store andassign them to different events. Preferably, the intensity level duringthe activation of a light is also recorded.

[0015] It is another object of the present invention to provide a methodof composing a sequence of activation of lights on a mobilecommunication terminal of the kind referred to initially. This object isachieved in accordance with claim 18 by providing a method comprisingthe steps of:

[0016] displaying on the display a menu in which the activity ofcomposing of a sequence of activation of lights can be selected bypressing one or more keys of the keypad, and when such keys have beenpressed,

[0017] displaying on the display a menu in which the sequence of theactivations of lights can be composed by pressing one or more keys ofthe keypad, and

[0018] storing the composed sequence of the activation of lights.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the method further comprisesthe step of-displaying on the display a menu in which the color and/orintensity in which the lights are to be activated can be selected bypressing one or more keys of the keypad.

[0020] The method may further comprise the step of displaying on thedisplay a menu in which the duration of an activation one of the lightscan be selected pressing one or more keys of the keypad. Advantageously,the method may further comprise the step of displaying on the display amenu in which a sequence of activation of lights can be saved to thememory by pressing one or more keys of the keypad.

[0021] According to another preferred embodiment, the method furthercomprises the step of displaying on the display a menu in which a storedsequence of activation of lights can be retrieved form the memory bypressing one or more keys of the keypad. Advantageously, the method mayfurther comprise the step of displaying on the display a menu in whichthe assignment of one of the stored sequences of activation of lights toa particular event in the mobile communication terminal can be selectedby pressing one or more keys of the keypad. Advantageously, the methodmay further comprise the step of displaying on the display a menu inwhich a stored sequence of activation of lights can be send to anothermobile communication terminal by pressing one or more keys of thekeypad.

[0022] It is another object of the present invention to provide a methodof assigning a sequence of activation of lights on a mobilecommunication terminal to a particular event in the communicationterminal. This object is achieved in accordance with claim 25 byproviding a method of assigning a sequence of activation of lights on amobile communication terminal to a particular event in the communicationterminal, wherein the mobile communication terminal comprises, adisplay, a keypad, lights and a memory in which at least one sequence ofactivation of lights is stored, comprising the steps of:

[0023] displaying on the display a menu in which the activity ofassigning a sequence of activation of lights to a particular event inthe mobile communication terminal can be selected by pressing one ormore keys of the keypad, and when such keys have been pressed,

[0024] displaying on the display a menu in which the assignment of oneof the stored sequences of activation of lights to a particular event inthe mobile communication terminal can be selected by pressing one ormore keys of the keypad, and when such keys have been pressed, assigningthe one stored sequence of activation of lights to the particular event.

[0025] It is another object of the present invention to provide a coverfor removable attachment to a mobile phone, which allows broader use ofuser notification through activation of lights. This object is achievedin accordance with claim 26 by providing a removable cover comprising aplurality of lights, a connector for establishing an electricalconnection to a counterpart on the mobile phone, and electric wiringconnecting the connecter with the plurality of lights.

[0026] Preferably, the plurality of lights comprises one or more electroluminescent elements. The electro luminescent elements may be foilsand/or wires.

[0027] The electro luminescent foils may be divided in a plurality ofsegments that can be individually activated.

[0028] The electro luminescent foils may be provided with atwo-dimensional wire net, whereby preferably parts of saidtwo-dimensional wire net can be activated individually.

[0029] Two or more electro luminescent foils may be placed one aboveanother, with the upper electro luminescent foil or foils preferablybeing more transparent to light than the lower electro luminescent foilor foils, whereby preferably each electro luminescent foil emits lightof different color.

[0030] The connector preferably comprises at least connecting membersfor voltage, ground and control.

[0031] Further objects, features, advantages and properties of themobile communication terminal according to the invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] In the following detailed portion of the present description, theinvention will be explained in more detail with reference to theexemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, in which

[0033]FIG. 1a is a diagrammatic view on a mobile communication terminalaccording to the invention,

[0034]FIG. 1b is a view form on the back of a front cover withintegrated lights,

[0035]FIG. 1c is a perspective view on a back cover with integratedlights,

[0036]FIG. 1d is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the mobilecommunication terminal, and

[0037] FIGS. 2 to 6 are screen shots illustrating the operation of theuser interface in a flow chart manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] In the following detailed description, a mobile communicationterminal according to the invention in the form of a hand portablephone, preferably a cellular/mobile phone will be described by thepreferred embodiments.

[0039]FIG. 1a shows a preferred embodiment of a mobile phone accordingto the invention, and it will be seen that the mobile phone, which isgenerally designated by 1, comprises a user interface having a keypad 2,a display 3, an earpiece 5, and a microphone 6. The keypad 2 has a setof keys 7 for entering data. These keys 7 are in the form ofalphanumeric keys, by means of which the user can enter numbers andletters, e.g. a phone number, a text message (SMS) or a name (associatedwith the phone number). The user uses the first group of keys primarilyfor entering data in the phone (entry events).

[0040] In the preferred embodiment, the keypad 2 additionally comprisestwo multi-functionality keys 8,8′, so-called soft keys, whose functiondepends on the present state of the mobile phone 1. The default functionor the present function of the multi-functionality keys 8,8′ isdisplayed in separate fields 11,11′ below a basic screen area 12 of thedisplay 3. Information entered by said data entering keys andinformation received from the network are displayed in the basic screenarea 12. In the preferred embodiment, the keypad additionally comprisesa scrolling device which, in the preferred embodiment, is provided asscroll keys 9,9′ for moving a cursor or a cursing bar in two oppositedirections. By means of the scroll keys 9,9′, the user can jumpselectively from one item to the preceding or the succeeding item in themenu loop of the mobile phone 1, while he gets access to a submenu loopunder the item concerned in the main menu loop by activation of themulti-functionality keys 8,8′. The call answer key 10 may be used forinitiating a call, and the call end key 10′ may be used to end a call.The use of multi-functionality keys 8,8′ and the scroll keys 9,9′ mayadvantageously be redefined in some states display. The user interfaceallows thus selection of a variety of available functions e.g. phonebook, call register, settings, messages, etc. This user interface is assuch known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,569, hereby incorporated byreference.

[0041] The mobile phone 1 is provided with a number of lights forindicating events in the mobile phone 1. The keypad 2 and the display 3are each provided with a backlight using an as such conventionalcombination of LEDs and electro luminescent foil (not shown). The keypad7 is provided with a green electro luminescent foil, whereas the display3 is provided with a white electro luminescent foil. Further, the mobilephone 1 is equipped with a number of bi-color LEDs 4,4′,13,13′ that aredirectly visible from the outside. The left side group 4 comprises 3LEDs that light either in red or in blue. The right side group 4′comprises 3 LEDs that light either in red or in green. A central groupof LEDs 13,13′ lights either in orange or in blue. Above the display 3,two LEDs (not shown) are provided behind a transparent window 15. Thewindow 15 is shaped as letters that form the word Nokia. The LEDs behindthe window 15 either light in red or in yellow. An electro luminescentfoil 14 is provided above the display 3. The electro luminescent foil 14is divided in nine segments that can individually be activated. Withineach segment, a two-dimensional wire net allows shapes or patterns to bedisplayed. In the present preferred embodiment the electro luminescentfoil 14 comprises a segment with a plurality of concentrically arrangedtriangularly shaped wire nets. The triangularly shaped wire nets can beactivated one after another to obtain an animation affect. The othereight segments of the electro luminescent foil 14 comprise differentpatterns that allow other animation effects such as a beating heart,rotating stars etc. The animation effects can be obtained by controllingthe sequence of activation and the intensity and duration of theactivation. In a preferred embodiment two electro luminescent foils areplaced one over another, with the upper foil being more transparent tolight. The colors of the light emitted by the two foils preferably beingdifferent, e.g. the upper foil emitting a yellow light and the lowerfoil emitting red light. When both foils are activated, the combinedlight will appear as orange to an observer. By varying the intensity ofthe light emitted by each of the foils the color perceived by anobserver may be gradually varied from yellow via orange to red.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment, the lights are arranged onan exchangeable/removable front or back cover of the mobile phone. Thesetype of covers are as such well known from e.g. the Nokia® 3310 mobilephone. FIG. 1b is a view form the rear on a front cover 17. The cover isprovided with connector 19 which comprises a plurality of electricalcontacts such as voltage, ground and control for the lights on thecover. Electric wiring is molded into the front cover 17 for connectingthe lights 4,4′,13,13′,14 and 15 with the connector 19. The connector 19has a not shown counter part on the core housing of the mobile phone.

[0043]FIG. 1c illustrates a back cover 20 provided with an electroluminescent foil 21. The electro luminescent foil 21 is preferablymolded into the rear cover 20. An electrical connector (not shown) forground, voltage and control is provided on the side of the rear coverfacing the core housing of the mobile phone. The electro luminescentfoil 21 is divided into four segments that can individually be activatedand for each of the segments two dimensional wire nets may be providedin a manner as shown for electro luminescent foil 14.

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment (not shown) the electroluminescent foil covers substantially the complete front cover with theexception of the display area and the openings for the keys. In case ofa completely transparent electro luminescent foil, also the display areacould be covered by the electro luminescent foil. The electroluminescent foil may be attached to the cover by different techniquessuch as integral mounding, applying adhesive, heat bonding etc. Thetracks for the electric wiring can advantageously be shaped so as toform a desired design pattern that improves the appearance of the phone.In another preferred embodiment (not shown) the electro luminescent foilcovers substantially the complete back cover. Also in this embodimentthe tracks for the electric wiring may be arranged to form a desireddesign pattern that improves the appearance of the phone.

[0045] The mobile phone 1 is provided with an in build vibrator (notshown).

[0046] The mobile phone 1 comprises as such conventional hardware (notshown) including a microprocessor and related hardware such as RAM, ROMand ports for controlling and exchanging data in the mobile phone 1. Amemory in the mobile phone1 contains the data for sequences ofactivation of the lights. The term “sequence” used hereafter refers to asequence of activation the lights. Each stored sequence comprises thedata for timing, intensity and color of a light or a group of lights.The lights are activated by an L-driver (not shown). The L-driver canalso activate the vibrator. The L-driver receives stored sequences fromthe memory and controls activation, color and intensity of the lights.As illustrated in FIG. 1d, when an event occurs (Step 201), a check ismade if a sequence of activating the lights is assigned to theparticular event (Step 202). An event is e.g. an incoming call, anincoming call from a particular caller or caller group, a key lock, akey unlock, a power on/off, a calendar alarm, an incoming SMS, a highscore, a wake-up alarm, a battery status indication or a signal strengthindication. If a sequence is assigned to the detected event, thesequence will be retrieved from the memory (Step 203) and the L-driverwill generate a signal powering the lights accordingly (Step 204). Themicroprocessor also controls the activation of the vibrator through theL-driver. The activation of the vibrator may be assigned to an event andis synchronized with any light sequences assigned to the event. Storedsequences assigned to events that will only require the sequences to beplayed once, such as an incoming SMS will contain an end signal, thus,ending playing when the sequence has been played once (Step 205).Sequences assigned to events in which the sequence should be repeateduntil another event occurs, such as an incoming call, where repeatedplaying of the sequence must not stop before either the call answer key10 is pressed or the call is ended, will be played until a signal to endplaying the sequence is received, e.g. when the 10 answer key is pressedin response to an incoming call.

[0047] A method for composing a sequence through the user interface ofthe mobile phone 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to5. In FIGS. 2 to 5 the actual text displayed on the display 3 isdepicted. In the user interface, a sequence of activation of the lightsis referred to as a “light tune”. Therefore the term “light tune” inFIGS. 2 to 5 corresponds to the term “sequence for the activation of thelights in this text. To enter the user interface menu, themulti-functionality key 8 “Menu” is pressed (state 2.1). The “Lighttunes” sub menu is selected by using the scroll buttons 9,9′ to browsethrough the submenus and pressing the multi-functionality key 8 “Select”again (state 2.2). The display 3 lists the possibility to personalize orto activate sequences (state 2.3). By using the scroll keys 9,9′ andselecting “Personalize” by pressing the multi-functionality key 8“Options”, the next state is displayed (state 2.4). In this state, thedisplay 3 lists the events to which the sequence will be assigned. Usingthe scroll keys 9,9′ and the multi-functionality key 8, the event isselected. The user interface requests to choose between composing orretrieving a sequence. If “Retrieve” is selected the next state of thedisplay is shown in FIG. 4 (state 4.1), which will be described furtherbelow.

[0048] If “Compose” is selected, the next state of the display 3 isshown in FIG. 3 (state 3.1). In this state the display 3 shows a listindicating which of the lights, or group of lights, and If available,also the color in which they are to be activated is assigned to aparticular alphanumerical key 7 of the keypad 2. Thus, e.g. anactivation of the left side LED group 4 in red is added to the sequenceby pressing the corresponding alphanumerical key 7, in this case thealphanumerical key 7 on which the number 3 (not shown) is indicated. Thesequence entered so far is displayed in the black horizontal bar at thelower part of the display 3. By pressing the respective alphanumericalkey 7 a next light or group of lights is added to the sequence. The userinterface will prompt in the next state to select the intensity(referred to by the user interface as “Brightness” (state 3.2). When theintensity has been selected using the scroll keys 9,9′ and themulti-functionality key 8 “OK”, the user interface will prompt to selectfurther attributes for the type of activation, such as “Normal”, “Rampup”, “Ramp down”, “Full power”, “Intermittent” or “Isophase”. When theattributes have been selected, using the multi-functionality key 8 “OK”,the user interface will prompt to select the length of the activation ofthe selected light or group of lights. By pressing multi-functionalitykey 8′ “Options” a further submenu of the user interface (not shown)allows the activation length to be user-specified by entering anumerical value using the alphanumerical keys 7 on the keypad 2. Whenthe length of the activation has been selected, the display returns tostate 3.1. Erroneously entered numbers in the sequence can be deleted bypressing the multi-functionality key 8′ “Clear”. When the sequence iscompleted, pressing the multi-functionality key 8 “OK” changes the stateof the display 3 to allow playing, saving or discarding the sequence(state 3.4). To save the sequence “Save” is selected from the submenuand pressing the multi-functionality key 8 “OK” results in the userinterface prompting for entering a name for the sequence to be stored(state 3.5). After entering a name using the alphanumerical keys 7 ofthe keypad 2, the sequence will automatically be saved in one of thefree memory positions. If there are no free memory positions the userinterface will prompt for selecting a position to overwrite (state 3.6).

[0049] When in state 2.5 of the user interface (FIG. 2) “Retrieve fromlibrary” is selected, the next state of the user interface lists thestored sequences and prompts to select one by using the scroll keys 9,9′and pressing the multi-functionality key 8 “Assign” to assign theselected sequence to the previously selected event (state 4.1). Bypressing the multi-functionality key 8′ “Options”, the user interfaceturns to state 4.2. allowing browsing with the scroll keys 9,9′ throughthe options “Play”, “Send”, “Edit, “Discard” and “Rename”. Selecting“Play” allows to play the sequence before assigning it to thepreselected event. Selecting “Rename” allows the name assigned to thesequence to be changed. Selecting “Send” and pressing the multi-functionkey 8 “OK” the user interface will prompt for a phone number to send thechannel setting to (state 4.3). After entering the number with thealphanumerical keys 7 the display area above the multi-function key 8changes to “OK” (state 4.4). After pressing the multi-functionality key8 “OK” the message will be sent (state 4.5). Alternatively, the phonenumber can be recalled from the phone book by pressing the multifunctionkey “Search” (state 4.3). The following phone number selection procedurefrom the in build phone book is not explained here, and is well knownfrom e.g. the Nokia® 6210 mobile phone and the Nokia® 6210 User Manualwhich is hereby incorporated by reference. While the message is beingsent, the user interface will display “Sending light tune” (state 4.6).The user still has a chance to interrupt the transmission by pressingthe multi-function key 8 “Cancel”. By selecting “Edit” in state 4.2 theuser interface turns to state 3.1 so that the stored sequence may beedited before assigning it to the preselected event.

[0050] Text messages, such as SMS-messages, are a useful extension ofthe use of mobile phones. The technical specifications for the GSM ShortMessage Service are defined in: ETSI TS 100 901 V7.4.0 (1999-12),Technical Specification, Digital cellular telecommunications system(Phase 2+); Technical realization of the Short Message Service (SMS);(GSM 03.40 version 7.4.0 Release 1998), hereby incorporated byreference. The messages may contain plain text, ringing tones, picturemessages, WAP settings and business cards (Vcard). The type of messageis coded in the user data header. The user data header is indicated inthe first octet of the SMS-Submit TPDU (with message parameter value).

[0051] According to the present invention, a message sent to a mobilephone 1 contains a sequence of activation of lights, a “light tune”.Upon receipt of a text message containing a sequence of activation oflights, the user interface will display a soft notification “Light tunereceived” FIG. 5, state 5.1. Upon pressing the multi-functionality key 8“Options”, the user interface displays the options “Details”, “Play”,“Save” and “Discard” (state 5.2). By using the scroll keys 9,9′ the usercan select either of these four options. Selecting “Details” andpressing the multi-function key 8 “OK” will result in the displaylisting the activation sequence (state 5.3). By pressing themulti-functionality key 8 “Options” the display 3 will show furtherdetails such as color, intensity etc. (not shown). By pressing themulti-functionality key 8′ “Back” the display 3 turns to state 5.4. Byselecting “Save” and pressing the multi-functionality key 8 “OK” thechannel will automatically be saved in one of the free memory positions.If there are no free memory positions, the user interface will promptfor selecting a memory position to overwrite (state 5.5).

[0052] According to another preferred embodiment, the mobile phone isable to communicate via the so-called wireless application protocol(WAP). Like any other data set, sequences for the activation of lightsmay be downloaded to the mobile phone 1 from WAP servers. The downloadedsequences may be stored in the memory and assigned to an event as shownabove.

[0053] According to another preferred embodiment, the mobile phone 1 isprovided with signal processor that transforms an audio signal into acontrol signal for activation of the lights. The audio signal is dividedinto two or more discrete frequency bands by filters, and the output ofthe filters is supplied as a signal to the Light driver (L-driver) toactivate the lights, with a light with a different color or placement orshape being assigned to each frequency band. The intensity of the lightsmay be modulated according to the output level from the filter. Thus,the light effects in response to the audio signal become moresophisticated. The signal processor may be programmed to limit theminimum duration of an activation of a light, to avoid a perception byobservers of lights that flicker when the transformed audio signal wouldwithout this precaution result in a very short activation of the light.Similarly, the maximum duration of an activation of a light may belimited, to avoid continuous, or almost continuous activation of alight.

[0054] The source of the audio signal can be selected though the userinterface. When source of audio signal is the microphone 6, the mobilephone 1 will function as a light organ in locations where there is musicor other rhythmic ambient sound. According to another preferredembodiment, the mobile phone 1 comprises a digital audio player and aradio, which can be selected as the source for the audio signal. Also,the ringing tunes stored in a memory of the mobile phone 1 can beselected as an audio signal supplied to the signal processor. The signalprocessor may be realized in as hardware or as software. In the lattercase, the software could be a downloaded JAVA application run on themobile phone.

[0055] The light organ settings and functions can be modified by theuser thought the user interface as explained below.

[0056] After selecting “Light organ” from the main user interface menu(state 2.2), the user interface turns to state 6.1. The display 3 showsthe options “Activate”, “Settings” and “Record tune”. Using the scrollkeys 9,9′ and the multi functionality key 8 the user can select“Settings” to arrive at state 6.2. In this state the user is prompted toselect the audio source or the frequency ranges. Selecting “Audiosource” results in state 6.3, in which either the microphone, the radioor the audio player can be selected as audio source. Selecting“Frequency ranges” in state 6.2 results in state 6.4. In this state theuser is prompted to select one of the three frequency ranges where afterone of the lights may be assigned to the selected frequency range instate 6.6. Upon pressing the multi functionality key 8′ “Options” instate 6.4, a non-shown state allows the user to personalize thefrequency bands, and to increase or decrease the number of frequencybands.

[0057] Mobile phone 1 comprises a memory and circuitry for recording andstoring the activation of the lights in response to the audio signal.Thus, the user does not have to download or enter the sequences ofactivation of the lights, but may simply record, store and assign themto different events. Preferably, the intensity level during theactivation of a light is also recorded. Selecting “Record tune” in state6.1 starts the recording and results in state 6.5. In state 6.5 therecording can be ended by pressing multi functionality key 8 “End”.

[0058] Although the invention is shown with preferred embodiments thatuse two multi-functional keys, it is evident that the invention can alsobe carried out with only one or without any multi-functional functionalkey. The lights shown in the preferred embodiment are merely an exampleof lights that may be used to carry out the invention. It is evidentthat many other lights and light-guiding elements may be used as analternative. The type of lights, their color shape and location shown inthe above exemplary embodiments are not to be interpreted as limitingfor the invention. Any location, shape, color of lights or can used withthe present invention. For example the electro luminescent foils may bereplaced by any different shaped electro luminescent element such as anelectro luminescent wire. Electro luminescent elements are available ina number of basic colors, based on several different dyes. By mixingdyes any color can be obtained, at any place on the mobile phone.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile communication terminal comprising aplurality of lights, means for controlling the activation of saidlights, means for storing a number of sequences of activation of saidlights, and means for selectively assigning one of said stored sequencesof the activation of said lights to a particular event in said mobilecommunication terminal.
 2. A mobile communication terminal according toclaim 1, wherein said means for selectively assigning one of said storedsequences of the activation of said lights to a particular event in saidmobile communication terminal comprises a keypad, a display, and meansfor displaying on said display an indication which keys of said keypadneed to be pressed to assign one of said stored sequences of theactivation of said lights to a particular event in said mobilecommunication terminal.
 3. A mobile communication terminal according toclaim 1, wherein said means for controlling the activation of saidlights comprises means for controlling the color of said lights and/orfor controlling the intensity level at which said lights are activated.4. A mobile communication terminal according to claim 3, furthercomprising means for composing said sequences of activation of saidlights.
 5. A mobile communication terminal according to claim 4, whereinsaid means for composing sequences of activation of said lightscomprises a keypad, a display, and means for displaying on said displayan indication which keys of said keypad need to be pressed to compose asequence of activation of said lights.
 6. A mobile communicationterminal according to claim 4, wherein said means for composingsequences of activation of said lights allows the user to select theintensity level of a light to be activated, preferably as low, middle,high, and/or allows the user to select the duration of the activation ofa light to be activated, and/or allows selection of the timing betweenactivations of said lights.
 7. A mobile communication terminal accordingto claim 6, wherein said means for composing sequences of activation ofsaid lights comprises a keypad, a display, and means for displaying onsaid display an indication which keys of said keypad need to be pressedto select the intensity level of a light to be activated, preferably aslow, middle, high, and/or which keys need to be pressed to select theduration of the activation of a light to be activated, and/or which keysneed to be pressed to select of the timing between activations of saidlights.
 8. A mobile communication terminal according to claim 1, whereinsaid events can be selected from the group comprising, incoming call,incoming call from a particular caller or caller group, key lock, keyunlock, power on/off, calendar alarm, incoming SMS, high score, wake-upalarm, battery status indication and signal strength indication.
 9. Amobile communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the sequenceof activation of said lights is synchronized with a vibrator of saidmobile communication terminal.
 10. A mobile communication terminalaccording to claim 1, wherein said lights comprise LEDs and/or electroluminescent foils and/or electro luminescent strings and/or opticalfibers.
 11. A mobile communication terminal comprising a plurality oflights, means for controlling the activation of said lights and meansfor transforming an audio signal into a control signal for activation ofsaid lights.
 12. A mobile communication terminal according to claim 11,wherein said audio signal is provided by a microphone in said mobilecommunication terminal and/or by a digital audio player in said mobilecommunication terminal and/or by a radio in said mobile communicationterminal and/or by a memory in said mobile communication terminal inwhich ringing tunes are stored.
 13. A mobile communication terminalaccording to claim 12, wherein said audio signal is divided into two ormore discrete frequency bands by filters, and the output of said filtersis used to activate said lights, preferably with a light with adifferent color being assigned to each frequency band, and/or theintensity of said lights being modulated according to the output levelfrom the filter driving the light.
 14. A mobile communication terminalaccording to claim 13, further comprising means for recording andstoring the activation of said lights in response to said audio signal.15. A mobile communication terminal according to claim 14, wherein theintensity level and/or color during the activation of a light isrecorded.
 16. A mobile communication terminal according to claim 15,further comprising means for assigning a recorded and stored sequence ofthe activation of said lights to a particular event in said mobilecommunication terminal.
 17. A mobile communication terminal according toclaim 1, wherein at least a part of said plurality of lights isintegrated in a removable cover.
 18. A method of composing a sequence ofactivation of lights on a mobile communication terminal, wherein saidmobile communication terminal comprises a display, a keypad, lights anda memory, comprising the steps of: displaying on said display a menu inwhich the activity of composing of a sequence of activation of lightscan be selected by pressing one or more keys of said keypad, and whensuch keys have been pressed, displaying on said display a menu in whichthe sequence of the activations of lights can be composed by pressingone or more keys of said keypad, and storing the composed sequence ofthe activation of lights.
 19. A method according to claim 18, furthercomprising the step of: displaying on said display a menu in which thecolor and/or intensity in which said lights are to be activated can beselected by pressing one or more keys of said keypad.
 20. A methodaccording to claim 18, further comprising the step of: displaying onsaid display a menu in which the duration of an activation one of saidlights can be selected pressing one or more keys of said keypad.
 21. Amethod according to claim 18, further comprising the step of: displayingon said display a menu in which a sequence of activation of lights canbe saved to said memory by pressing one or more keys of said keypad. 22.A method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of:displaying on said display a menu in which a stored sequence ofactivation of lights can be retrieved from said memory by pressing oneor more keys of said keypad.
 23. A method according to claim 18, furthercomprising the step of: displaying on said display a menu in which theassignment of one of the stored sequences of activation of lights to aparticular event in said mobile communication terminal can be selectedby pressing one or more keys of said keypad.
 24. A method according toclaim 18, further comprising the step of: displaying on said display amenu in which a stored sequence of activation of lights can be send toanother mobile communication terminal by pressing one or more keys ofsaid keypad.
 25. A method of assigning a sequence of activation oflights on a mobile communication terminal to a particular event in saidcommunication terminal, wherein said mobile communication terminalcomprises a display, a keypad, lights and a memory in which at least onesequence of activation of lights is stored, comprising the steps of:displaying on said display a menu in which the activity of assigning asequence of activation of lights to a particular event in said mobilecommunication terminal can be selected by pressing one or more keys ofsaid keypad, and when such keys have been pressed, displaying on saiddisplay a menu in which the assignment of one of the stored sequences ofactivation of lights to a particular event in said mobile communicationterminal can be selected by pressing one or more keys of said keypad,and when such keys have been pressed, assigning said one stored sequenceof activation of lights to said particular event.
 26. A cover forremovable attachment to a mobile phone, comprising a plurality oflights, a connector for establishing an electrical connection to acounterpart on said mobile phone, and electric wiring connecting saidconnecter with said plurality of lights.
 27. A cover according to claim26, wherein said plurality of lights comprises one or more electroluminescent elements.
 28. A cover according to claim 27, wherein saidelectro luminescent elements are foils and/or wires.
 29. A coveraccording to claim 28, wherein said one or more electro luminescentfoils are divided in a plurality of segments that can be individuallyactivated. 30 A cover according to claim 28, wherein said one or moreelectro luminescent foils are provided with a two-dimensional wire net,whereby preferably parts of said two-dimensional wire net can beactivated individually.
 31. A cover according to claim 28, wherein twoor more electro luminescent foils are placed one above another, with theupper electro luminescent foil or foils preferably being moretransparent to light than the lower electro luminescent foil or foils.32. A cover according to claim 31, wherein the each electro luminescentfoil emits light of a different color.
 33. A cover according to claim26, wherein said connector comprises at least connecting members forvoltage, ground and control.
 34. A cover according to claim 26, whereinsaid plurality of lights comprises one or more LEDs.